Seaton Carew 23 Ponteland 38
Ponteland finished on top in the battle for second place this weekend with a keenly fought victory against Seaton Carew. Match report by John Chappell: With Seaton sitting second in the League and Ponteland third, something had to give. Pont were looking to get rid of the rust, having had numerous games cancelled recently.On a sunny, cold day at the coast Pont kicked off with a slight wind behind them. They immediately got into their stride and a series of quick hands put Pont in home territory. Jonny Murphy chased down a kick and Jonny LE took the ball on. Seaton infringed and Dan Walton kicked the penalty on 4 minutes.
Despite Seaton’s ability to fly up offside undetected Pont’s backs continued to use the ball intelligently and as the forwards again took things on Seaton infringed again and Walton duly kicked the points.
With McGookin coming as a blood replacement for Murphy then Turnbull the Walton penalty machine continued as he kicked two to make it 12-0 on 15 minutes.
Seaton’s big players then started to pick and drive with effect and as Pont turned over the ball in their 22 a rash miss pass led to a converted Seaton penalty 3-12.
Seaton continued to push forward and entered Ponts 22. The ref signalled a penalty as play moved towards the Pont line. As no advantage was gained the ref awarded the penalty and the switched on Seaton scrum half ignored the penalty position 12 metres back and instead just tapped it, broke the Pont line and Seaton scored 8-12
Pont roared back down the field and a lineout 12 metres out saw Pont catch and drive Seaton over the line with Kelly claiming the touchdown – his 3rd in 3 games!!
Immediately from the kick off Todza sliced the Seaton defence in two and unselfishly put Will Newbigin in for the try. There was time left for Seaton to kick a penalty for a half time score of 11-24.
Seaton kicked off and Pont fumbled and infringed. The subsequent penalty saw Seaton drive towards the line and at the breakdown Craig Robinson was penalised and yellow carded. Seaton took the penalty and after a dozen drives forced over the line for a converted try.18 24. Pont continued to defend valiantly as Seaton poured offside but the extra man eventually told and just as Robinson was about to come on they scored in the corner 23-24
Byrne replaced Laverick and Mcgookin replaced Weir as Pont got back to 15 players. The game was becoming more physical with a number of Pont players picking up injuries off the ball but the forwards stuck to their task, winning good lineout ball and blasting the Seaton scrum backwards. A lineout 15 metres out again saw Pont catch and drive for the line. 5 metres out their hooker ran round offside and received a yellow card. Pont took a scrum and shunted Seaton towards the line. As Byrne was looking for the touchdown their no 8 dived into the scrum, was yellow carded and a penalty try awarded, converted by Walton 23-31.
With Mcgalshan on for Scott both sides drove into each other as each attempted to out muscle the other but with numerical advantage Ponts backs cut open the defence and Will Newbigin was on the end of the inter passing to score under the posts. Newbigin converted. 23-38
With Seaton back up to 14 men the game entered the last few minutes and with Pont attacking the ball flashed out of the side of a ruck. Mark Kelly pounced on only to be kneed violently in the head by Seaton’s 2nd row, who received a yellow card for his troubles.
The final whistle saw Pont victorious in a hard fought physical battle which meant they leapfrog Seaton into 2nd place in the league
Man of the match: Mark Kelly. Old "big head" helped the Ponteland front row destroy their opposite numbers in the scrum and his loose, aggresive play typified Ponteland's overall performance.
Dick of the day: Jack Story. Nothing against his performance, but when a winger wears; a) odd socks and b) flourescent laces, something has to give.
